Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Obama Picks Camp David Church, Not a D.C. Congregation
- Top Indian Official Apologizes for Anti-Christian Violence
- Pope Announces Basilica Bones Are St. Paul's
- Threats, Expulsions for Christian Couple in Uganda
Obama Picks Camp David Church, Not a D.C. Congregation
TIME magazine reports that President Barack Obama and his family have settled into congregation familiar with the presence of presidents. The Obamas ultimately shied away from D.C. churches and have reportedly settled at Evergreen Chapel, the nondenominational church at Camp David. Former president George W. Bush also attended the chapel. Based on his limited church visiting experience in D.C., the president opted for a setting where regular churchgoers would not have to compete with "sighteseers" angling for a view of the president. The Sunday congregation at Evergreen Chapel usually ranges between 50 and 70 people.
Top Indian Official Apologizes for Anti-Christian Violence
Christian Post reports that India's head government official says people displaced by religious violence must return to their homes. "I am sorry that certain things happened last year and you have been brought to these camps," said Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. "But you must go back to your villages. I am here to remove your fear and assure you that Center and State government will offer all protection." More than 2,000 people remain in relief camps in Kandhamal. Chidambaram told these refugees to return "without any fear," promising that "[w]hoever has been found accused or involved in violent activities, will be prosecuted and punished."
Pope Announces Basilica Bones Are St. Paul's
The U.K. Times Online reports that carbon dating on bone fragments from the tomb of St. Paul in Rome shows they are from the first century. Pope Benedict XVI's said the carbon dating confirms the bones are "the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul.” The announcement closed the liturgical Year of St. Paul. Archaeologists tested the fragments perhaps more than a year ago, but Vatican officials waited for the pope to announce the results. St Paul is believed to have been beheaded in Rome in the first century under Nero's reign, and tradition holds that his body is inside the sarcophagus at St Paul's.
Threats, Expulsions for Christian Couple in Uganda
Compass Direct News reports that when a young Muslim woman in northern Uganda heard about Jesus in February 2005, it marked the beginning of a nightmare. Aleti Samusa of Yumbe district soon converted to Christianity; her family immediately kicked her out of their home. Devastated economically and emotionally, Samusa sought refuge in a local church in Lotongo village. Later that year, she met and married David Edema, who was raised a Christian. His bride’s family did not attend the couple’s wedding, and it wasn’t long before her relatives threatened to break up their marriage. The couple fled Lotongo village to Yumbe town. “The Muslims started sending people, saying that I am not wanted in Yumbe town and that I should leave the town,” Edema said.
